Degate attempts also to reconstruct the netlist of wires and vias (vias are electronic connection between different layers).

Then, it can build the full or partial logical layout.

Of course, the better the quality of the initial pictures (for instance using a Focussed Ion Bean (FIB)), the easier (and better) the automated result.

Degate will not do all the job. It is a software aid to reverse engineer. In any case, at the end, you will have to understand what the logic layout does. Degate is not a tool for script kiddies. It requires a good knowledge of micro electronics. You’re working at the transistor/cell level.

The site provides also an interesting repository of documentation related to IC reverse-engineering.

Lesson: As for software obfuscation, the less reused patterns in the design of the chip, the more robust to reverse-engineering.